Identification of PRRSV epitopes associated with antibody-dependent enhancement and neutralization of virus infection

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an economically significant disease of swine, caused by a small, enveloped RNA virus belonging to the family Arteriviridae. PRRS virus preferentially replicates in macrophages and is capable of establishing persistent infection. While the mechanism by which PRRS virus persists in infected animal is unknown, enhanced infection and replication of PRRS virus in the presence of virus-specific antibody has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This phenomenon has been known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of virus infection in which virus-specific antibody facilitates the entry of virus into susceptible cells resulting in increased severity of the disease. ADE is also considered to be a significant obstacle to developing effective vaccines for many viruses for which ADE has been reported. In this study, the role of specific PRRS viral epitopes in ADE and/or virus neutralization (VN) was assessed in vitro, using 14 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to 4 PRRS viral proteins: 15kD nucleocapsid (N), 19kD matrix (M), 25kD envelope glycoprotein (GP5), and 45kD GP3, each of which represented a distinct epitope.One-way ADE and VN assays were performed using homologous PRRSV isolates in the presence or absence of each MAb. ADE activity was determined by detecting an increase of progeny virus yield in porcine alveolar macrophage cultures in the presence of individual MAbs. Neutralizing activity was determined by detecting a significant reduction or complete blocking of virus replication in MARC-145 cells in the presence of individual MAbs. The MAbs could be categorized into 3 groups: enhancing, neutralizing and neither. Neutralizing epitopes appeared to reside on the M, GP5, and GP3 proteins. ADE epitopes were associated with the N and GP5 proteins. Identification of the epitopes responsible for ADE and VN may provide the basis for developing efficacious second-generation vaccines for the control of PRRS virus

Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity Among Students Attending a Midsize Rural University in Oregon

Objective: To examine the prevalence and identify correlates of food insecurity among students attending a rural university in Oregon. Methods: Cross-sectional non-probability survey of 354 students attending a midsize rural university in Oregon during May 2011. Main outcome was food insecurity measured using the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were included in multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Over half of students (59%) were food insecure at some point during the previous year. Having fair/poor health (OR: 2.08, 95%CI: 1.07 – 4.63), being employed (OR: 1.73, 95%CI: 1.04 – 2.88) and with incomes below $15,000 per year (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.07 – 4.63) was associated with food insecurity. In turn, good academic performance (GPA 3.1 or higher) was inversely associated with food insecurity. Conclusions: Food insecurity seems to be a significant issue for college students. It is necessary to expand research on different campus settings, and further strengthen support systems to increase access to nutritious foods for this population

Engaging with Rural Latinx Families

For a growing number of rural communities, Latinxs – a gender-neutral term for individuals originating from Latin America, have positively affected community prosperity and economic security. In order to sustain and further promote rural economic growth, Extension should take bold actions to embrace the strengths and to address the needs and desires of this diverse population group. This paper highlights findings from 14 studies related to the USDA Hatch Act–funded multistate research projects, Rural Families Speak and Rural Families Speak about Health, and shares recommendations for strengthening Extension’s engagement with Latinx populations across rural America

Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among students attending a midsize rural university in Oregon

Objective: To examine the prevalence and identify correlates of food insecurity among students attending a rural university in Oregon. Methods: Cross-sectional non-probability survey of 354 students attending a midsize rural university in Oregon during May 2011. Main outcome was food insecurity measured using the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were included in multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Over half of students (59%) were food insecure at some point during the previous year. Having fair/poor health (OR: 2.08, 95%CI: 1.07 – 4.63), being employed (OR: 1.73, 95%CI: 1.04 – 2.88) and with incomes below $15,000 per year (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.07 – 4.63) was associated with food insecurity. In turn, good academic performance (GPA 3.1 or higher) was inversely associated with food insecurity. Conclusions: Food insecurity seems to be a significant issue for college students. It is necessary to expand research on different campus settings, and further strengthen support systems to increase access to nutritious foods for this population.This is the author's peer-reviewed accepted manuscript. The version of record is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.jneb.org/home.Keywords: Food insecurity, Oregon, Rural, College student

Immune Responses in Pigs Induced by Recombinant DNA Vaccine Co-Expressing Swine IL-18 and Membrane Protein of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

In this study, two DNA vaccines, which express the membrane (M) protein of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) (pEGFP-M) and co-express both M and swine IL-18 (pEGFP-IL18-M), were constructed and their abilities to induce humoral and cellular responses in piglets were comparatively evaluated. Experimental results showed that both recombinant DNA vaccines could not elicit neutralizing antibodies in the immunized piglets. However, both DNA vaccines elicited Th1-biased cellular immune responses. Notably, pigs immunized with the plasmid pEGFP-IL18-M developed significantly higher levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 production response and stronger specific T-lymphocyte proliferation response than the pigs inoculated with the plasmids pEGFP-M and pEGFP-IL18 (P < 0.05). These results illustrated that co-expression of M and IL-18 proteins could significantly improve the potency of DNA vaccination on the activation of vaccine-induced virus-specific cell-mediated immune responses in pigs, which may be used as a strategy to develop a new generation of vaccines against highly pathogenic PRRSV

Identification of PRRSV epitopes associated with antibody-dependent enhancement and neutralization of virus infection

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is an economically significant disease of swine, caused by a small, enveloped RNA virus belonging to the family Arteriviridae. PRRS virus preferentially replicates in macrophages and is capable of establishing persistent infection. While the mechanism by which PRRS virus persists in infected animal is unknown, enhanced infection and replication of PRRS virus in the presence of virus-specific antibody has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. This phenomenon has been known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of virus infection in which virus-specific antibody facilitates the entry of virus into susceptible cells resulting in increased severity of the disease. ADE is also considered to be a significant obstacle to developing effective vaccines for many viruses for which ADE has been reported. In this study, the role of specific PRRS viral epitopes in ADE and/or virus neutralization (VN) was assessed in vitro, using 14 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to 4 PRRS viral proteins: 15kD nucleocapsid (N), 19kD matrix (M), 25kD envelope glycoprotein (GP5), and 45kD GP3, each of which represented a distinct epitope.One-way ADE and VN assays were performed using homologous PRRSV isolates in the presence or absence of each MAb. ADE activity was determined by detecting an increase of progeny virus yield in porcine alveolar macrophage cultures in the presence of individual MAbs. Neutralizing activity was determined by detecting a significant reduction or complete blocking of virus replication in MARC-145 cells in the presence of individual MAbs. The MAbs could be categorized into 3 groups: enhancing, neutralizing and neither. Neutralizing epitopes appeared to reside on the M, GP5, and GP3 proteins. ADE epitopes were associated with the N and GP5 proteins. Identification of the epitopes responsible for ADE and VN may provide the basis for developing efficacious second-generation vaccines for the control of PRRS virus.</p

Family planning and sexual risk-taking among Mexican immigrant men : how does fatherhood matter?

Men are frequently left out of the picture in the study of family planning and sexual risk behavior. This approach means few programs and policies address men's family planning and sexual health issues. There is also a lack of understanding of the role fatherhood plays in men's development and in family planning and sexual health. For Mexican immigrant men, the picture is even worse given their disadvantaged position and the unique obstacles they face (e.g., language barriers, acculturation issues) that put them at risk for experiencing unintended pregnancies and contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Grounded in symbolic interactionism and life course theory, I explored how social roles (e.g., partner, father), individual factors (e.g., education, cultural values), and health systems influence the family planning and sexual risk-taking experiences of young Mexican immigrant men paying particular attention to differences and similarities between fathers and nonfathers. To answer the research questions, a qualitative study was conducted using secondary data from the Latino Health Project: Men Only. The sample was comprised of 21 fathers and 25 nonfathers ages 18 to 30 (N = 46), all of whom had lived in the United States for 10 years or fewer, thus being considered recent immigrants. Data for the project were collected using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions followed by directive probes. The analysis process used grounded theory methodology techniques (LaRossa, 2005). Key findings suggest that both fatherhood status and partners play an important role in men's experience with sexual and reproductive health, with partners playing a more influential role. Fatherhood plays a more active role in men's ideas about family planning while partners seem to play an influential role in men's actual behaviors such as engaging in family planning services and using birth control other than condoms. The influence that fatherhood and partners have on men's experiences with family planning and sexual risk-taking was shaped by a unique combination of accurate information, different levels of knowledge, and misinformation. Access to services was shaped by health systems that prevented men from seeking services due to documentation issues and economic barriers. Cultural factors such as machismo, marianismo, and personalismo also influenced some attitudes and behaviors related to birth control use, vasectomies, risk-taking, and services utilization. Findings suggest these men are exposing themselves and their partners to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Beyond these being public health concerns, it is crucial that researchers, policy makers, and service providers remember that current sexual risk behaviors have a direct impact on the fertility and family formation patterns of the fastest growing population in the United States

Risk and Resilience of Latina/o Families in Rural America: 20 Years of Research

The face of rural America is rapidly changing as rural communities become home to growing numbers of racial and ethnic minorities, especially Latina/o families. While Latinas/os are important to the vitality and productivity of rural communities, they experience disproportionately higher rates of poverty, food insecurity, and additional challenges such as lack of proficiency in English, documentation status, and discrimination, compared to the general population. This paper presents 20 years of findings on the well-being of Latina/o families in rural America from the multi-state USDA Hatch funded projects, Rural Families Speak (NC 223/NC 1011) and Rural Families Speak about Health (NC 1171). Findings are organized by an adapted Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological model that includes inner (e.g., individual, family) and outer layer systems (e.g., access to public assistance and healthcare, culture, social support, working conditions). There is discussion of implications for policies and programs affecting Latina/o families.This article is published as Doris I. Cancel-Tirado, Kimberly Greder and Bradford B. Wiles, Risk and Resilience of Latina/o Families in Rural America: 20 Years of Research. Family Science Review. 2018, 22(1); 70-90. Posted with permission.</p

Engaging with Rural Latinx Families

For a growing number of rural communities, Latinxs – a gender-neutral term for individuals originating from Latin America, have positively affected community prosperity and economic security. In order to sustain and further promote rural economic growth, Extension should take bold actions to embrace the strengths and to address the needs and desires of this diverse population group. This paper highlights findings from 14 studies related to the USDA Hatch Act–funded multistate research projects, Rural Families Speak and Rural Families Speak about Health, and shares recommendations for strengthening Extension’s engagement with Latinx populations across rural America.This article is published as Kimberly Greder, Doris I. Cancel-Tirado, Brianna Routh & Juan Bao-Engaging with Rural Latinx Families, The Forum Journal Fall 2020 23(1). https://www.theforumjournal.org/2021/03/01/engaging-with-rural-latinx-families/ Posted with permission. </p